Subtlety takes a back seat in the new Telugu-language sci-fi fantasy epic, Kalki 2898 AD. The film borrows so heavily from similarly-themed predecessors that it could serve as a case study at copyright lawyer conferences.
 |
| 'Kalki 2898 AD' COURTESY OF VYJAYANTHI MOVIES |
Featuring stunning CGI visuals, spectacular action sequences, and a delightfully over-the-top performance by Indian superstar Prabhas, the movie exemplifies why movie stars exist. While Kalki 2898 AD is heavier on style than substance and excessively long, it certainly delivers value for money.
Its box-office success affirms that the creators were justified in announcing, "The Kalki Cinematic Universe Continues," during the end credits.
Summarizing the plot can be a bit tricky, so please bear with me. Director-screenwriter Nag Ashwin’s three-hour film (thankfully with an intermission) kicks off with a prologue set in 3102 BC, following the Kurukshetra War. This introduction will resonate most with those familiar with the Hindu epic The Mahabharata.
In the prologue, the warrior Ashwatthama (played by Amitabh Bachchan) faces a curse from Krishna, who is a reincarnation of the god Vishnu. His crime? Trying to kill an unborn holy child. As a result, Ashwatthama is doomed to wander the earth for eternity, seeking redemption only through his protection of Vishnu’s future incarnation, Kalki's mother.
Fast forward 6,000 years (as indicated by the film’s title), and the planet has devolved into a post-apocalyptic, dystopian wasteland. I’d love to see a sci-fi film where the future is actually better. In this bleak setting, the elite hoard vital resources like water, which can only be bought with "credits."
They reside in a colossal inverted pyramid called the "Complex"—thankfully not bearing the name "Trump"—while the less fortunate struggle in the slums below. The Complex is governed by Supreme Yaskin (played by Kamal Haasan), who appears to be in dire need of moisturizer. He heads the sinister Project K, which siphons fluids from pregnant women to create a youth serum, only to incinerate them afterward.
One of the doomed women, SUM-80 (played by Deepika Padukone), manages to escape, becoming the target of a bounty. Enter the cheeky bounty hunter Bhairava (Prabhas), who’s eager to accumulate enough credits to rise to the Complex. Just then, Ashwatthama (remember him?) reappears to safeguard the fleeing SUM-80, the prophesied mother of Kalki.
The 6,000-year gap has treated Ashwatthama well—he’s now a formidable eight feet tall. Unfortunately, Bhairava isn’t quite as lively; upon his introduction, he promptly insists on taking a nap.
There’s a lot more happening with a myriad of characters and subplots, but you might be as tired reading this as I am writing it. You could easily pass the time spotting its influences, with "Star Wars" being the most obvious—Bhairava's robot sidekick is a mini R2-D2, and Supreme Yaskin’s minions look like Stormtroopers. However, unlike "Star Wars," this film adds in the occasional musical number.
But "Star Wars" is just the beginning. The film also nods to a variety of other sources, including Marvel movies, "Mad Max: Fury Road," Bane from "The Dark Knight Rises," "Dune," "The Matrix," "Blade Runner," and the "Harry Potter" series.
Roxie (played by Disha Patani), Bhairava’s love interest, displays impressive combat skills and sports a midriff-baring outfit that rivals Princess Leia's. She even quips, “I thought you wanted me, but you only wanted my credits,” while putting Bhairava in a headlock.
Despite its wildly entertaining aspects, "Kalki 2898 AD" can feel overwhelming, like an extravagant feast that leaves you feeling stuffed and worn out. However, fans of this genre will likely find it thrilling.
